Fisher Terrace project supported

The zoning board of appeals has approved a preliminary plan filed under a comprehensive permit for a 32-unit Chapter 40B affordable housing condominium project on Fisher Road.

Now, Fisher Terrace LLC must draw up its definitive plans, go before the conservation commission and return to the zoning board for a final sign-off. That ensures that the preliminary plan the board approved is not significantly different from the definitive plans, Senior Town Planner Pamela Harding said.

Fisher Terrace LLC originally proposed the construction of 42 units on the road off Salisbury Street. The property is approximately 10 acres with about four acres of wetland with frontage on Fisher Road. Concerns regarding road layout, drainage, traffic and other issues resulted in various revisions to the plan that were addressed during public hearings starting in July. The public hearing was closed on October 27.

Later, the developers, Crescent Builders of Shrewsbury, agreed to reduce the number of units to 36 and then to 32 after Harding raised concerns about density, lack of open space and the amount of impervious area.

Understanding extensive site work is required for the project, the town has agreed reduce its Inflow and Infiltration fees, creating a savings of $142,560.

The developers agreed to drop the four units and a culde sac, creating a turnaround area instead. They’ve agreed to widen Fisher Road to 24 feet from the Fisher Road/Salisbury Street intersection to the end of their property line.

Of the 32 units available for purchase, eight are deemed affordable housing under Chapter 40B. Six of the eight units must be given local preference, including current town residents, family of current residents and town of Holden employees. The units will be distributed via a lottery system.

The remaining units will sell at market value while the affordable units will sell for around $155,000. The dollar amount for the units could change if Holden’s median income changes at the time of the lottery.

Salisbury Street lot

In other business, the future of a town-owned Salisbury Street parcel has been put on hold by the zoning board as town officials examine alternatives for it.

In late November, following the advice of town counsel, selectmen voted to return all bids on the 1.8-acre lot.

Doyle Road resident Rick Sampson recently asked selectmen for his money back after he successfully bid on the property. According to Sampson, the town advertisement for the property stated it had 100 feet of frontage. While a 1988 survey and plan showed the lot had 100 feet, a recent town survey proved that the lot has only had 93 feet of frontage, making it unbuildable.

According to town officials, Sampson submitted a bid price of $143,211, $7,160 of that as a deposit, which was returned.

The town had filed a frontage variance with the zoning board, which was scheduled to be heard at the December 1 meeting. It was announced that night that the town requested a continuance.

Town officials are now investigating other options to try and resolve the frontage issue.